Archive for the Okazu News Category


Shibaraku Omachi Kudasai

June 22nd, 2010

Sorry for lack of posts this week. Work is kicking my butt in several directions and I’m in the process of shifting everything over to a new computer (nicknamed “Balsa.”)

I’m out the next few evenings, as well, so please excuse me while Okazu goes into some forced downtime.

In the meantime, please entertain yourselves by following two roundtables in which I have the pleasure of participating this week:

The Manhwa Movable Feast, July Edition. This month, hosted by Melinda Beasi of Manga Bookshelf, we are covering The Color of… Trilogy. I took a stab at the third book in the series, The Color of Heaven. *So* not my kind of book.

And on Hooded Utilitarian, I am pleased to be part of a roundtable on marketing “arty” manga. My “Solution” article has been reworked slightly to address some of the many excellent comments that appeared in the comments here and make a few points relevant to the issue there. The rest of the roundtable folks are going to have a lot to say, so follow the roundtable all week long!

I’ll be back with reviews asap.





Okazu Tea Party Contest

April 11th, 2010

I have two volumes of Yuri Manga sitting here that I’d like to give to a good home. Tadaima! and Hinagiku Junshin Jogakuen.

To win these volumes tell me who you would invite to a Yuri Tea Party and why. You have to include three real humans (live or dead) that have something to do with Yuri and then you have to invite three fictitious characters.

Here’s an example:

I would invite Yoshiya Nobuko, because she is the Grandmother of Yuri, Rica Takashima, because she’s one of the funniest people I know, and Ryoko Ikeda because she’s seems like she’s a hoot. For the fictitious characters I’d invite Cutey Honey because she seems like she’d be a hoot and a half, Tenoh Haruka from Sailor Moon  because she’s intense and cool and my “gateway” character and Iono-sama from Iono-sama Fanatics because she seems like she’d have some fun stories to tell.

They all represent different decades and different genres of Yuri, so that’s an added bonus.

Assume yourself and myself will be there, so don’t add me or yourself to the list. :-)

So, get out those invitation cards and let’s have the guest list! The winner will be determined by whim, as always, and will get two volumes of manga and some random crap I’ll throw into the envelope. ;-)





Breaking News: Yuricon on the Daily Kos

June 1st, 2009

I was fully prepared to do a review today, but instead would like to nod in thanks and awe at Okazu Hero Bruce McF for his article on today’s Daily Kos:

What Can Newspaper Reporters Learn From Yuricon?

For one thing, Bruce really *gets* what I say about niche marketing, and he shows an understanding of social media that far outweighs most Marketing Directors’. It’s a very good article and I hope you will read it all the way through and vote Bruce chocolate chip cookies at the end, because he definitely deserves a cookie for his efforts.

The comments interest me, as someone almost immediately tries to diminish the impact of the message by forcing it back into the anime box – and not just that, but the “oh, it’s those gals talking about Yuri, how cute and pointless” box. Bruce deftly points out that my social media skills are useful for more than “just Yuri.” I would have commented myself but new accounts are embargoed for a week on Diary posts. :-)

This is not an isolated behavior, either. I’ve seen it occur in other male-dominated discussion forums and I dare say every female gamer runs into it on a regular basis. A recent quote on Simon Jones’ blog over at Icarus netted a comment that read something like, “I totally respect what those dykes are doing” which contradicts itself fascinatingly. :-)

But I digress. The point is that Bruce’s article is good, it’s a genius expression of Project Engage and along with voting Bruce a pile of chocolate chip cookies, he’s just gotten himself promoted to Okazu Superhero. Because I reward engagement.

Thanks for the great article, Bruce!





Yuri News This Week – May 16, 2009

May 16th, 2009

Get Okazu on your Kindle! It’s a super cheap monthly subscription and will be delivered directly to your reading device with every update. Okazu is already not the only anime/manga blog – you can also get Mangablog, Anime Almanac, Comics Worth Reading and more. If I do say so myself, Okazu looks pretty cool on Kindle. ;-)

***

Yuri Anime

The website for the Lyrical Nanoha Ist movie is open – now with trailer. There was some outrage at the character designs (why fans get outraged so easily over every little thing still fascinates and bewilders me) but they appear to look pretty much on model to me. Better than the inconsistent designs of the first series, to me anyway. This movie is a “retelling” of Nanoha and Fate’s meeting, so I expect fans will be outraged at that, too. :-)

Anonymous wrote in to point out that the finale for Candy Boy aired last week, inciting as much controversy here on Okazu as it does anytime we talk about it. The ONA was extremely popular and undoubtedly a successful venture in Japan. I would be very very interested to know if that translated to good sales. Here’s a question for those of you who liked the series – would you buy the DVDs? My gut tells me that the audience here in the west is unlikely to covert to a market and thus, while the series is popular, it would not be financially successful, should it be released here.

Sean was immensely pleased to note that the Simoun box set shipped a full *month* early from Right Stuf. Sadly, the link above is to Amazon from which it has not yet shipped.

***

Yuri Manga

Sevens Seas will be releasing a Kashimashi ~ Girl Meets Girl Omnibus, it looks like in two volumes. Release date is later in 2009.

***

Yuri Live Action

Whenever I mention this series, controversy breaks out, because while those who think it is Yuri see it clearly, equally those who do not, have kittens. Nonetheless, a live-action version Bubblegim Crisis 2012 has been greenlighted. Since the plots of all previous series weren’t exactly examples of excellent writing, when it gets rendered down into the same one move all action movies are right now, it ought to be fine. :-) However, as it is live-action, expect no Yuri, except in your imagination.

***

Did I mention you can get Okazu on your Kindle? Seriously, I’m totally stoked about that. lol

Anyway, this is a good place to stop for this week.

Just a quick reminder – do not write in to ask me *why* I haven’t written about something – write in to tell me about something you want me to write about! I can’t be everywhere, I don’t follow everything and your eyes and ears are absolutely crucial to letting me know. Be part of the Yuri News Report, drop me a line at anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com with Yuri news you want to share!





Okazu Reader Survey Results

September 17th, 2008

I promised this a while back. Here’s the data from the Okazu Reader Survey. I’ve left out the specifiv qualitative responses, because I want to collate them a bit before giving you a list of your own top sources. In the meantime, enjoy!
Survey Statistics
 
Viewed 428
Started 300
Completed 299
Completion Rate 99.67%
Drop Outs (After Starting) 1
  • Average time taken to complete survey : 4 minute(s)

What gender do you identify as?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Female 217 73.06%
2. Male 77 25.93%
3. Transitioning/Other 3 1.01%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 1.279
Key Facts
  • 98.99% chose the following options :

    • Female
    • Male
  • Least chosen option 1.01% :
    • Transitioning/Other
Confidence Interval @ 95% [1.226 – 1.333]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 0.472
Standard Error 0.027

What is your age?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. 13-18 39 13.13%
2. 18-25 139 46.80%
3. 25-35 75 25.25%
4. 36-45 25 8.42%
5. 46 and over 19 6.40%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 2.481
Key Facts
  • 72.05% chose the following options :

    • 18-25
    • 25-35
  • Least chosen option 6.4% :
    • 46 and over
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.364 – 2.599]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 1.033
Standard Error 0.060

Where do you live?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Africa 1 0.34%
2. Asia 22 7.41%
3. Australia 14 4.71%
4. Canada 22 7.41%
5. Europe 30 10.10%
6. Japan 2 0.67%
7. Latin America 8 2.69%
8. Mexico 3 1.01%
9. Pacific Rim 0 0.00%
10. United Kingdom 11 3.70%
11. United States 174 58.59%
12. Other 10 3.37%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 8.623
Key Facts
  • 68.69% chose the following options :

    • United States
    • Europe
Confidence Interval @ 95% [8.233 – 9.013]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 3.431
Standard Error 0.199

What, if any, sexual orientation do you identify yourself as?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Lesbian 87 29.39%
2. Gay 3 1.01%
3. Bisexual 77 26.01%
4. Straight 94 31.76%
5. Queer 12 4.05%
6. Other 23 7.77%
Total 296 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 3.034
Key Facts
  • 61.15% chose the following options :

    • Straight
    • Lesbian
  • Least chosen option 1.01% :
    • Gay
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.858 – 3.209]

n = 296
Standard Deviation 1.540
Standard Error 0.090

How often do you read Okazu?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Once a week 74 24.92%
2. 2-4 times a week 92 30.98%
3. 5 days a week or whenever you update 131 44.11%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 2.192
Key Facts
  • 75.08% chose the following options :

    • 5 days a week or whenever you update
    • 2-4 times a week
  • Least chosen option 24.92% :
    • Once a week
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.100 – 2.284]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 0.810
Standard Error 0.047

When was the last time you bought a Yuri anime or manga?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Within the last week 72 24.24%
2. Within the last month 101 34.01%
3. Within the last 3 months 56 18.86%
4. Within the last year 47 15.82%
5. I dont buy anime or manga 21 7.07%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 2.475
Key Facts
  • 58.25% chose the following options :

    • Within the last month
    • Within the last week
  • Least chosen option 7.07% :
    • I dont buy anime or manga
Confidence Interval @ 95% [2.336 – 2.613]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 1.217
Standard Error 0.071

What do you like about reading Okazu?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Reviews of English Anime and Manga 217 16.16%
2. Reviews of Japanese Anime and Manga 248 18.47%
3. Yuri News Report 207 15.41%
4. Insights and Opinions 209 15.56%
5. Snarky Humor 200 14.89%
6. Lesbian Perspective on Yuri 185 13.78%
7. Links to Anime and Manga on Amazon and Amazon.co.jp 54 4.02%
8. I really wish I didnt have to, but youre the only game in town. 10 0.74%
9. Other 13 0.97%
Total 1343 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 3.615
Key Facts
  • 34.62% chose the following options :

    • Reviews of Japanese Anime and Manga
    • Reviews of English Anime and Manga
  • Least chosen option 0.74% :
    • I really wish I didnt have to, but youre the only game in town.
Confidence Interval @ 95% [3.513 – 3.717]

n = 1343
Standard Deviation 1.904
Standard Error 0.052

Is Okazu your only source of anime/manga news?
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Yes 77 25.93%
2. No 220 74.07%
Total 297 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 1.741
Confidence Interval @ 95% [1.691 – 1.791]

n = 297
Standard Deviation 0.439
Standard Error 0.025

Do you attend anime/manga events:
Frequency Analysis
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1. Once a year 88 29.73%
2. Twice a year 24 8.11%
3. 3-5 times a year 18 6.08%
4. Im an insane otaku and attend every event I can get to 6 2.03%
5. I dont attend anime/manga events 160 54.05%
Total 296 100%
Key Analytics
Mean 3.426
Key Facts
  • 83.78% chose the following options :

    • I dont attend anime/manga events
    • Once a year
  • Least chosen option 2.03% :
    • Im an insane otaku and attend every event I can get to
Confidence Interval @ 95% [3.219 – 3.632]

n = 296
Standard Deviation 1.812
Standard Error 0.105